What Does Google Know About You?

Ad blockers, anyone? We’re always skeptical of anyone saying you can find out “everything” Google knows about you, because a lot of what Google knows is assembled from multiple sources in their state of the art and probably illegal data profiling methods.

Most of what you can find out about what Google can find out about you is based on having a Google account–and if you have a Google account, that’s your first mistake.

Still, it’s good to know the more obvious stuff.

When you use Google, you are making a deal. You get to use services like Gmail, Drive, search, YouTube, and Google Maps for free.

In exchange, you agree to share information about yourself that Google can share with advertisers so their ads are more effective. For instance, airlines want to target people who love to travel. Children’s clothing makers want to target parents.

Google uses a lot of methods to learn about you. There’s the stuff you tell Google outright when you sign up for its Gmail or to use your Android phone. This includes your name, phone number, location, and so on.

But Google also watches you as you scamper around the internet, deducing your interests from your internet searches — what do you search for? click on? — from your use of Google’s other services and from other websites you visit.